Thursday’s 16-game marathon runs right back around on Friday, as the men’s NCAA Tournament concludes its chaotic and crowded first round. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is set to make his debut in the Madness, while fellow No. 1 Florida plays a few hours later. Three of the AP’s First Team All-Americans are set to show out Friday — the sensational Flagg, dynamic Gator shotmaker Walter Clayton Jr. and Alabama’s intrepid fifth-year senior Mark Sears.
Friday starts with an interesting matchup between Mississippi State and Baylor. The Bulldogs are all about offense, and NBA Draft-bound V.J. Edgecombe is unafraid to let the ball rip. Duke, Florida, Alabama and Michigan State each boot up their Final Four aspirations.
In the evening, March miracle worker Shaka Smart coaches Marquette against New Mexico’s tough defense. Back-to-back national champion UConn squares up with Jeremiah Fears and Oklahoma. Oregon and Liberty close out Round 1 with a 10:10 p.m. ET tip.
There won’t be much time to process whatever happens here. The second round jumps right into gear on Saturday morning.
How to watch the men’s NCAA Tournament first round (Day 2)
MatchupReg.Time (ET)TVStreamNo. 8 Mississippi State
No. 9 Baylor
Paramount+
No. 2 Alabama
No. 15 Robert Morris
No. 3 Iowa State
No. 14 Lipscomb
No. 5 Memphis
No. 12 Colorado State
No. 1 Duke
No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
Paramount+
No. 7 Saint Mary’s
No. 10 Vanderbilt
No. 4 Maryland
No. 13 Grand Canyon
No. 1 Florida
No. 16 Norfolk State
No. 3 Kentucky
No. 14 Troy
Paramount+
No. 7 Marquette
No. 10 New Mexico
No. 4 Arizona
No. 13 Akron
No. 8 UConn
No. 9 Oklahoma
No. 6 Illinois
No. 11 Xavier
Paramount+
No. 2 Michigan State
No. 15 Bryant
No. 5 Oregon
No. 12 Liberty
Games on CBS can also be streamed on Paramount+.
Men’s March Madness title odds
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(Photo of Will Richard: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
